This polite and practical phrase helps you ask for directions in an unfamiliar city. Let’s explore how to say it in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, and French.
1. Word Overview
Language | Native Phrase | English Translation | Part of Speech | IPA Pronunciation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spanish | ¿Puede mostrarme en el mapa? | Can you show me on the map? | Question phrase | [ˈpwe.ðe mosˈtrar.me en el ˈma.pa] |
Italian | Può mostrarmelo sulla mappa? | Can you show me on the map? | Question phrase | [pwɔ moˈstrar.me.lo ˈsul.la ˈmap.pa] |
Portuguese | Pode me mostrar no mapa? | Can you show me on the map? | Question phrase | [ˈpɔ.dʒi mi mosˈtɾaʁ nu ˈma.pɐ] |
German | Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? | Can you show me on the map? | Question phrase | [ˈkœ.nən ziː ɛs miːɐ aʊ̯f deːɐ ˈkaʁ.tə ˈtsaɪ̯.ɡn̩] |
French | Pouvez-vous me le montrer sur la carte? | Can you show me on the map? | Question phrase | [pu.ve vu mə lə mɔ̃.tʁe syʁ la kaʁt] |
2. Example Sentence
Spanish: ¿Puede mostrarme en el mapa dónde estamos? English: Can you show me on the map where we are? Tip: “Puede” is the formal “you can” form; use with strangers.
Italian: Può mostrarmelo sulla mappa, per favore? English: Can you show it to me on the map, please? Tip: “Può” is polite; “me lo” is “it to me” combined.
Portuguese: Pode me mostrar no mapa como chegar? English: Can you show me on the map how to get there? Tip: “Pode” is used for polite/formal situations.
German: Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? English: Can you show it to me on the map? Tip: “Sie” with a capital S is formal “you”; word order is important in German questions.
French: Pouvez-vous me le montrer sur la carte? English: Can you show it to me on the map? Tip: “Pouvez-vous” is a formal question structure; common in polite French.
3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note
- Formality matters: All versions use polite/formal “you” (usted, vous, Lei, Sie) which is essential in interactions with strangers.
- In Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French), direct and indirect object pronouns often appear before or attached to the verb.
- In German, formal structure and word order are key — the verb often comes at the end of the clause.
4. Daily Practice Challenge
Speaking Activity: Imagine you’re lost in a foreign city. Practice asking someone to point out your location on the map in each language:
- Ask slowly, then naturally.
- Practice switching between the five languages.
- Optional: record yourself and compare pronunciation.
5. Multilingual Bonus Comparison
Language | Phrase | Pronunciation Help |
---|---|---|
Spanish | ¿Puede mostrarme en el mapa? | PWEH-deh mos-TRAR-me en el MA-pa |
Italian | Può mostrarmelo sulla mappa? | PWO mos-TRAR-me-lo SOOL-la MAP-pa |
Portuguese | Pode me mostrar no mapa? | POH-dji mee mos-TRAR noo MA-pa |
German | Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? | KÖN-nen zee es meer owf der KAR-te TSAI-gen |
French | Pouvez-vous me le montrer sur la carte? | POO-veh voo muh luh mon-TRAY syr lah KART |